Quote:
Originally Posted by flamesfever
It's not a matter of planning our grid around individual generators, it's a matter of planning our grid around renewables. If then, at some time in the future, a large part of our grid includes renewables, and the power generated therefrom hasn't sufficient storeage capability, then my little mind says the grid may be more vulnerable to power outages. Although maybe that is not the case, as I know very little as to how the power system works.
However, if I have a legitimate concern, and blackouts happen more frequently because of the increased renewables, it's every man for himself, and it may be prudent to install a large gas driven generator.
|
I guess that's my point. If our grid becomes so fragile that only the wealthy can maintain power regularly, while the rest suffer in the dark, we've failed massively.
So you either have a situation where we build a stable grid that costs more, but has no need for individual systems, or you build a delicate grid that forces everyone to look out for themselves, installing dirty generators, marginalizing the poor, and generally massively decreasing efficiencies of scale, well, I can tell you which one I'd prefer we pursue. If it means once every 5 years I have to go 6 hours without power, I'm ok with that. I'm not going to buy a $1000 generator for that scenario. I've been here 15 years and the 6 hour thing has happened once.
This is basically why we need to replace all the coal plants with gas(or, nuclear, LOL), and any renewables only count above our maximum consumption, so you never find yourself out of power because of wind failing to blow. We will see of our leaders are smart enough to figure that out...